"ceiling" pull switch for exterior use?

[neverwas]

Is there such a thing as a "ceiling" pull switch for exterior use please? I've looked at TLC-Direct, CEF etc but can't find one.

In case I'm barking up the wrong thingie, I was hoping to use one fitted to the soffit over the porch for an external light for an elderly relative. She does not want a PIR 'cos of the local cats etc burning her electricity. There is no convenient internal place for a switch. I was hoping to avoid running conduit for an external switch (both because I am lazy/useless and because it would be unsightly). I'd also inclined against remote control as it'd mean her taking the zapper with her when she goes out - just something more to forget/lose.

[The Medway Handyman]

Have you considered a dawn/dusk light with a low energy lamp? We have one outside with an 11w lamp, cheap enough to run, on when its dark.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

My thoughts are a porch light only switched from outside would be of limited use. If you can find your way to the porch in the dark finding the switch would be as difficult as putting the key in the lock? And you might want to switch it on from inside to see who's at the door?

A remote would make more sense. Put it on the house door keying. Something the size of a car remote wouldn't be too arduous to carry in the handbag.

However, if a pull switch was situated under the porch and protected from driving rain I'd say an ordinary one would be ok.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Nothing that's on when not needed is cheap enough to run for many old ladies. My mother used to unplug the bedside clock radio when not used as a radio because it obviously used electricity. And kept a battery digital LCD clock there so she could check the time at night. Wouldn't be persuaded that switching on the light to do this - and the cost of the batteries - was more than the clock radio used.

[neverwas]

Thanks. I'll try her on that but as a pensioner on a low income who has also been subject to the full energy conservation indoctrination I don't have high hopes. (She is also good at mental arithmetic so she'll probably work out the annual cost faster than I can in Excel.)

I ought also to have said that I'd assumed even the PIR option needs a switch somewhere accessible to comply with the regs. Or not?

[neverwas]

Fair points but the hall and kitchen lights let her see who is at the door from window (although as a rule she does not even go to the door at night unless she is expecting someone). The light is to replace a battery powered light she has on the porch wall to see to use her keys when returning in the dark in the winter.

Thanks. I'll clearly have to look again/elsewhere. The few I saw for exterior lights on the TLC etc sites seemed to have much bulkier remotes

[Bob Eager]

I remember one who wouldn'y buy a particular model of transistor radio because it would 'use more battery' than another model. The basis for this was that the offending model required the knob to be turned 50% to get her normal listening level, but the 'other' model required the knob to be turned 25%...for the same output.

[John]

Dave - I have one (Megman) and it only goes out on a sunny day due to it being in a lantern and under a overhang. Any ideas on increasing its sensitivity? I have removed the red lens and trimmed away some plastic to give it a wider view....

[The Medway Handyman]

Dunno really, mines a Wickes jobby lantern completely exposed.

How about a small mirror?

[Mike Barnes]

Why is it being replaced?

You could screw the bulky remote control to the wall, like (presumably) the existing battery-powered light.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Something like this? :-

probably cheaper if you build it yourself.

[Donwill]

My grannie used to go round all the sockets in her house (and there wern't that many in those days 1946ish) to switch them off irrespective of whether there was a plug in it or not as the electricity would leak out you see. Don

[Davey]

The city.

[Owain]

No, lights don't require isolation switches. Things producing heat or motive power do.

Owain

[Owain]

Treat her to a door intercom system or a mini cctv camera.

You can get battery powered PIR switched all-in-one lights, probably most use LEDs now.

Whether mains or battery, if the PIR is sited correctly it shoudln't be too sensitive to cats.

Owain

[Owain]

Or just have a small LED torch on the keyring.

Owain

[neverwas]

On the one hand all ideas are welcome. On the other hand I don't quite see that one working for a lady of a certain age who has stick in one hand, keys in the other hand, wanting to see how to get the keys into the lock. On the third hand though I can see it working :)

[neverwas]

Ah, thanks.

[Owain]

Attach a small bicycle headlight to the stick?

Owain

[Usenet Nutter]

Are there not devices that you fit the key in to and it illuminates with a button so one hand is all you need . Maybe there is also something that fits round the keyhole and lights up. Try websites that specialise in products for assisting elderly people